Topsail close to securing beach access

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 9:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 9:07 p.m.

After months of negotiations, Topsail Beach may soon get the beachfront property it needs to be eligible for a 50-year federally supported beach nourishment project.

Topsail Beach Town Manager Tim Holloman told commissioners during their regular monthly meeting Wednesday that the town is close to receiving the deed to a private beach access on Monroe Lane.

In return, the Pender County town will swap its sound access with the owners. The deal also calls for the town to build the public beach access at Monroe Lane in time for tourist season.

Holloman said he hopes the town will receive the deed by Jan. 15. Topsail Beach has been seeking the property because it has to have a public beach access every half-mile to qualify for the 50-year project.

A majority of the owners of 17 homes lining Monroe Lane have fought the idea of a second public waterfront access opening on their street. Owners have argued that two pubic accesses will attract beachgoers, clogging their quiet street and stripping them of privacy.

"We're going to add traffic in there," Bone said. "I'm not convinced that's the best thing for that subdivision. I think everybody's just jumped on the thing at Monroe Lane. I've got a problem with it."

Commissioner Ed Broadhurst said that the town has been working on obtaining the land for a long time.

"I don't see any reason for holding this thing up," he said. "I think we've got the right access. I think it's in the right location. I think we've done a good job trying to work this thing out with the owners."

Town Attorney Steve Coggins said he believes owners of roughly 15 of the 17 properties have signed documentation to hand over the access to the town.

A majority of commissioners approved giving Holloman the green light to hire an engineer to design the access once the deed has been granted to the town. Bone voted against the motion. Commissioner Grier Fleischhauer was absent.

<p>After months of negotiations, Topsail Beach may soon get the beachfront property it needs to be eligible for a 50-year federally supported beach nourishment project.</p><p>Topsail Beach Town Manager Tim Holloman told commissioners during their regular monthly meeting Wednesday that the town is close to receiving the deed to a private beach access on Monroe Lane.</p><p>In return, the Pender County town will swap its sound access with the owners. The deal also calls for the town to build the public beach access at Monroe Lane in time for tourist season.</p><p>Holloman said he hopes the town will receive the deed by Jan. 15. Topsail Beach has been seeking the property because it has to have a public beach access every half-mile to qualify for the 50-year project.</p><p>A majority of the owners of 17 homes lining Monroe Lane have fought the idea of a second public waterfront access opening on their street. Owners have argued that two pubic accesses will attract beachgoers, clogging their quiet street and stripping them of privacy.</p><p>Commissioner Julian Bone said he understands why Monroe Lane homeowners don't want the additional access.</p><p>"We're going to add traffic in there," Bone said. "I'm not convinced that's the best thing for that subdivision. I think everybody's just jumped on the thing at Monroe Lane. I've got a problem with it."</p><p>Commissioner Ed Broadhurst said that the town has been working on obtaining the land for a long time.</p><p>"I don't see any reason for holding this thing up," he said. "I think we've got the right access. I think it's in the right location. I think we've done a good job trying to work this thing out with the owners."</p><p>Town Attorney Steve Coggins said he believes owners of roughly 15 of the 17 properties have signed documentation to hand over the access to the town.</p><p>A majority of commissioners approved giving Holloman the green light to hire an engineer to design the access once the deed has been granted to the town. Bone voted against the motion. Commissioner Grier Fleischhauer was absent.</p>